Have you noticed the leaves in tree circles around campus and wondered why?
Leaf circles around trees provide significant benefits by acting as a natural organic mulch that improves soil health, conserves resources and supports local wildlife and they also look very pretty!
Key benefits include:
🍂 Nutrient Recycling – as leaves decompose, they return essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to the soil, acting as a natural slow release fertiliser and reducing the need for synthetic chemical fertilisers.
🍂 Moisture Retention – the layer of leaves helps the soil retain moisture by reducing evaporation, which conserves water and helps trees enjoy drought conditions.
🍂 Temperature Regulation – leaves act as a natural insulator, keeping the soil and roots cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, protecting them from temperature extremes.
🍂 Weed and Grass Suppression – a sufficient layer of leaves block sunlight, which helps suppress the growth of weeds and competing grass around the base of the tree, ensuring the tree gets more water and nutrients.
🍂 Improved Soil Health – decomposing leaves add valuable organic matter to the soil, which improves its structure, aeration and ability to hold water. This fosters the growth of beneficial microorganisms, earthworms and fungi.
🍂 Habitat for Wildlife – leaf litter provides crucial cover and habitats for many beneficial insects, pollinators, spiders and small animals, which in turn serve as a food source for birds and other wildlife, supporting local biodiversity.
🍂 Erosion Control – the mulch layer protects bare soil from the direct impact of rain and wind, which helps prevent soil erosion and compaction.
🍂 Cost Effective and Sustainable – using the leaves that fall naturally is a free and eco-friendly alternative to purchasing bagged mulch or sending waste to landfill where it can produce harmful methane gas.
🍂 Protection from Equipment Damage – creating a dedicated circle of leaves or mulch around a tree helps prevent damage to the trunk and root flare that can be caused by mowers and strimmers.
